Code X: Human Upgrade- Episode 4 – The Real Test

By- AK

RECAPE-

ayel meets five other teenagers in the Code X program. Each of them has glowing blue eyes and struggles with the changes the upgrades bring.

Kai, one of the teens, warns that not all upgrades are safe—some students have started losing memories or feeling pain.

Suddenly, the lights flicker, and a warning message appears:

“Memory corruption detected.”

Before they can react, the door slams shut, and a cold voice announces:

“Welcome to the real test, candidates.”

Zayel realizes the challenges ahead are much more serious than he

EP-4 BEGGENING-

Zayel’s heart pounded in the silent room. The cold voice had just said, “Welcome to the real test, candidates.” His eyes flicked around, searching for answers, but all he saw were the glowing screens filled with strange symbols.

Kai sat next to him, her face pale but steady. “We don’t know what this test really is,” she whispered, “but it’s not like anything we’ve ever faced.”

The other teens looked tense but ready. Each of them had the same glowing blue eyes now, and a quiet strength that came from being upgraded—but also fear they didn’t want to show.

Suddenly, the largest screen in the room changed. The strange symbols disappeared and were replaced by a countdown timer: 30 minutes.

Below it, a simple message flashed:

“Complete the tasks before time runs out, or face consequences.”

Zayel swallowed hard. What kind of tasks? And what consequences?

The screens then split into different panels. Each showed a different challenge—a puzzle, a memory test, a logic problem, and a physical coordination task.

Kai pointed to the puzzle screen. “Looks like we have to work together.”

Zayel nodded. “We need to stay focused.”

Node whispered in his mind, “Analyze the tasks. Communicate with the others. Use your strengths.”

The first task was a complex puzzle. Shapes moved on the screen, and they had to arrange them correctly to form a complete picture. Zayel’s fingers moved quickly over the digital interface, dragging and dropping pieces with precision.

Kai shouted, “Try matching the colors first!” The others watched and helped, each adding their own ideas.

Minutes passed, and the puzzle snapped into place with a satisfying chime.

Next was the memory test.

A series of images flashed on the screen—faces, numbers, places—and then disappeared.

Zayel concentrated hard, trying to remember every detail.

Node reminded him, “Use your upgraded recall.”

He whispered out loud, “There were seven faces, three numbers… the last one was a blue door.”

Kai repeated, “Blue door. That’s important.”

Then came the logic problem.

It looked like a maze, but with numbers instead of walls.

“You need to find the shortest path that adds up to 42,” Kai said.

Zayel’s mind raced. His thoughts were faster than ever. He pictured the maze and started calculating.

“Here!” he pointed. “This path adds up to 42.”

The others checked and nodded.

Finally, the physical coordination task.

The screens showed a virtual reality environment with obstacles they had to “move” through by controlling their own biofeedback. It was a test of calm and control.

Zayel closed his eyes, breathing slowly.

Node said, “Focus your heartbeat and breathing. Control your body.”

He imagined himself walking through the virtual path. His heart rate slowed. His hands steadied.

He made it through.

The timer stopped at 2 minutes left.

The screen flashed:

“Well done. Preparing next phase.”

Zayel exhaled, feeling a mix of relief and worry. This was only the beginning.

Suddenly, the lights dimmed.

A new message appeared:

“Warning: Memory instability detected. Emotional suppression increasing.”

Zayel’s heart tightened.

Kai looked at him, eyes wide. “It’s happening to me too. I’m forgetting things—little things, like songs or faces.”

Zayel tried to recall his mother’s smile, but the image slipped away.

Node spoke softly in his mind, “Memory loss is a side effect of upgrades. It is necessary to reach full potential.”

Zayel clenched his fists. “But what about who I am? What if I lose myself?”

Node was silent.

The door opened suddenly, and the woman in the grey suit stepped inside.

“Time to move,” she said firmly. “Your training has just begun.”

Zayel looked at Kai and the others.

“We have to stay strong,” Kai said.

Zayel nodded.

Whatever this “real test” was, it was more than just puzzles and challenges.

It was a fight for their minds—and their souls.